The day every student dreads, the first day of school, is finally here. We can cry, pout, stress, or attempt to prepare ourselves all we want, but school will still begin. Most people prepare themselves with a notebook or some pens, but let’s be honest, you’re going to lose those pens before the end of the school year and those notebooks will soon become full leaving you scrambling to find something to take notes with. Which brings about the question: why prepare yourself with things that are temporary while you have the option to prepare yourself with tools to last a lifetime!

Let’s face it the real problem with school isn't so much all the school work we receive, but the people who we are forced to be surrounded by. I didn't choose to have lunch with the “popular” girls who barely acknowledge I'm breathing yet alone speaking. I didn't choose to get stuck behind groups of people who apparently made it all the way to high school without learning to walk, and I most definitely didn’t plan to have hardly any classes with my closest friends. What is a girl to do?

Game plan: avoid snakes at all costs. This is the main goal for the entire school year. It will lead to happiness, which would lead to success in school and then to top the cake you have weeded out your garden! There are three things you need to be able to avoid snakes:

1. Confidence

You need to be confident enough to ignore the fact that once you show people you are not a fan of them, they will no longer be a fan of you. The people could be mean (or more mean than they were before), they could turn their friends against you (why would you want to be friends with a snake’s friend anyway?), or they could just ignore you too. Having confidence is important in school and in life. If people aren’t making you happy or if they are bringing you down it is important to have the confidence to walk away and be okay with the fact that not everyone will like you.

2. A snake keychain that is also a flashlight

If worst comes to worst there needs to be something to repel the snakes. Sometimes words aren't enough, like they say in school some people are more visual learners.

3. Headphones

It is always said that music is an escape for everyone. It is something to relate and relax to all at the same time. If the snakes are ruining your day then you can block them out while also listening to your favorite jams.

School is mentally challenging both from learning and from people around you, but it is important to focus on becoming successful and leaving all those snakes behind. Focus on bettering yourself and gaining knowledge. All the snakes won't matter in a few years. Happy weeding!